Detroit Red Wings arena rezoning request expected before Detroit City Council next week

Detroit City Council could vote as early as next week on a proposed rezoning request to facilitate the construction of a new Detroit Red Wings arena in downtown, according to the Detroit Free Press. A council subcommittee approved the request, which includes plans to tear down the historic Hotel Park Avenue, as well as construct an 1,100-space parking garage and public park.

In what appears to be a nod to the purported reputation of Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch as a real estate owner in downtown Detroit, the Freep reports Councilman Scott Benson offered a condition to the request that says plans by the team owner to renovate the adjacent Eddystone Hotel must be submitted to the city before the Hotel Park Avenue could meet a wrecking ball. From the Freep:

The new language theoretically would prevent Olympia from getting a permit for demolition without formally submitting a plan to renovate the Eddystone.

There are additional hurdles Olympia likely must clear before it can tear down the Park Avenue, including permission from the Detroit Historic District Commission.